HK strikes continue
Hutchinson Whampoa Limited (HWL) has strongly condemned the Kwai Tsing container terminal strikers for jeopardising the reputation of Hong Kong tourism after they harassed customers at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong hotel.
The “harrassment” follows Turbo Top Limited’s, a subsidiary of HWL, application to the Hong Kong High Court for an injunction against the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), last week.
Chan Chiu-wai, organising coordinator at Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), told Port Strategy: “The strikers felt that statement from HWL was distorting the truth. The protest at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong hotel was one of the support actions which was initiated and organised by local citizen groups rather than the strikers themselves.”
The Court granted the interlocutory injunction against the demonstrators last week on 26 April 2013 to restrain them from unlawful entry into the Cheung Kong Centre, which they have been blockading for the past two weeks. A further court hearing will take place later this week.
HWL has now decided to reopen entrances to the centre for its users.
HWL accuses Mr Lee Cheuk-yan, general secretary of the HKCTU and other unionists of repeatedly breaking the law by trespassing at Hongkong International Terminals’ (HIT) property and obstructing HIT operations over a pay rise, improved hygiene facilities and the need for longer breaks.
The strikers have also disrupted HWL retail shops, picketed HWL’s owner, Mr Li Ka-shing’s home, and disrupted traffic around the city.
A HWL spokesperson said staging such illegal acts and resorting to cultural revolution-styled behaviour will not help resolve the strike which began over a month ago.
Mr Chiu-wai added: “The strikers are not threatened by the tactics and will continue the strike until they reach a reasonable agreement with the employers.”